The Essential Guide to Bringing Adeniums Indoors for Winter

Desert roses (Adenium obesum, arabicum) are stunning tropical succulents that thrive in warm climates, but they need special care when temperatures drop. Successfully transitioning your adeniums indoors for winter ensures they'll survive the cold months and return to vibrant growth come spring. Let me walk you through the process step by step how I like to do it.

When to Bring Them Inside: Temperature Triggers

Timing is everything when it comes to protecting your adeniums from cold damage. These tropical plants are extremely sensitive to cold temperatures, and waiting too long can result in irreversible harm to your plants.

Critical Temperature Threshold: Bring your adeniums indoors when nighttime temperatures consistently drop to 50°F (10°C) or below. Ideally, move them inside before temperatures reach this point.

Most growers in temperate climates should plan to bring their adeniums indoors between late September and mid-October, depending on their location. Don't wait for the first frost warning—by then it may be too late. Adeniums can suffer cellular damage at temperatures below 40°F (4°C), even if they don't show immediate signs of distress.

Watch your local weather forecasts carefully as fall approaches. If an unexpected cold snap is predicted, bring your plants in temporarily, even if you plan to keep them outside a bit longer. It's better to be cautious than to risk losing plants you've nurtured all season.

Pre-Indoor Inspection: Your Essential Checklist

Before bringing any plant indoors, a thorough inspection is crucial. Pests and diseases that seem minor outdoors can quickly become serious problems in the controlled environment of your home.

Check for spider mites: Look for fine webbing on leaves and stems, especially on undersides. These tiny pests thrive in dry indoor conditions.

Inspect for mealybugs: Examine leaf axils and stem crevices for white, cottony masses. Remove any you find with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab.

Look for scale insects: Check stems for small, brown, shell-like bumps that can be scraped off with your fingernail.

Examine for fungal issues: Look for any black spots, powdery substances, or rotting areas on leaves or stems.

Check the caudex (swollen base): Feel for soft spots that might indicate rot. The caudex should be firm throughout.

Inspect the soil: Look for fungus gnats or other soil-dwelling pests.

If you discover any pests, treat them before bringing plants inside. A spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil can eliminate most common pests. Allow plants to dry completely before moving them indoors, and consider treating them preventively even if you don't see obvious problems.

Best Indoor Locations for Overwintering

Choosing the right spot in your home can make the difference between plants that merely survive winter and those that thrive. Adeniums need specific conditions to remain healthy during their indoor stay.

South-facing windows are your best option, providing the brightest natural light available in most homes. Place plants as close to the window as possible without letting leaves touch cold glass. If you live in an especially cold climate, pull plants back slightly from windows on frigid nights.

West-facing windows are your second-best choice, offering strong afternoon light. East-facing windows provide gentle morning sun but may not offer enough total light hours during short winter days.

Avoid placing adeniums near heating vents, radiators, or drafty doors. While they like warmth, direct heat from vents can dry them out too quickly, and cold drafts from doors can cause temperature fluctuations that stress the plants. Maintain room temperatures between 60-75°F (15-24°C) for optimal results.

The Acclimation Process: Preventing Shock

Adeniums can experience stress when moving from bright outdoor conditions to lower indoor light levels. A gradual transition helps prevent leaf drop and shock.

Start the acclimation process about two weeks before you need to bring plants fully indoors. Begin by moving your adeniums to a shadier outdoor location for 3-4 days. This might be under a covered porch or beneath a tree. Next, bring them into a garage or enclosed porch for another 3-4 days where they receive indirect light. Finally, move them to their permanent indoor location.

This step-wise approach allows the plant to adjust its internal processes gradually. Think of it like adjusting to a new time zone—sudden changes are jarring, but gradual shifts are manageable.

Indoor Lighting Requirements

Light is perhaps the most challenging aspect of overwintering adeniums. These sun-loving plants need significantly more light than typical houseplants.

Natural window light alone is often insufficient during winter months when days are short and sun angles are low. Even a bright south-facing window provides only a fraction of the light intensity adeniums receive outdoors in summer.

Supplemental grow lights are highly recommended for the healthiest plants. LED grow lights designed for succulents work exceptionally well. Position lights 6-12 inches above the plants and run them for 12-14 hours daily to simulate longer day lengths. This prevents excessive stretching and helps maintain plant vigor.

If you notice your adeniums becoming elongated or "leggy," with long spaces between leaves, they're not getting enough light. You may also observe leaf yellowing or dropping—additional signs of inadequate lighting.

Managing Water Needs Indoors

Watering changes dramatically when adeniums move indoors. The combination of lower light, cooler temperatures, and reduced air circulation means your plants need far less water than during active outdoor growth.

Reduce watering frequency by 50-75% compared to summer schedules. Many adeniums enter semi-dormancy during winter, especially in cooler indoor conditions. During this period, they may drop leaves—this is normal and not cause for alarm.

Water only when the soil is completely dry, which you can verify by inserting your finger 2-3 inches into the soil. The caudex should feel firm but may give slightly when gently squeezed—if it feels rock-hard, the plant needs water; if it feels mushy, you're overwatering.

A practical approach many experienced growers use: water approximately every 2-3 weeks during winter, giving roughly one-third the amount you'd use in summer. Always water in the morning so any excess moisture can evaporate during the day. Use room-temperature water, as cold water can shock roots.

Overwatering is the leading cause of adenium death during winter. When in doubt, wait another few days before watering. Remember, these are succulents that store water in their caudex—they're designed to handle drought far better than excess moisture.

Final Thoughts

Successfully overwintering adeniums indoors requires attention to detail, but the process becomes routine after your first season. By following these guidelines—bringing plants in at the right time, conducting thorough inspections, providing adequate light, and adjusting watering—you'll ensure your desert roses remain healthy and ready to flourish when warmer weather returns. The reward of seeing them burst into growth and bloom again next spring makes the winter care effort completely worthwhile.

We hope this guide helps you successfully overwinter your adeniums. Your plants are counting on you!

Questions or need advice? Contact us at: contact@americanadenium.com